Oscar-Winning Palestinian Co-Director Attacked by Israeli Settlers in West Bank

The Palestinian co-director of the Oscar-winning documentary “No Other Land,” Hamdan Ballal, was reportedly assaulted by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank and subsequently detained by Israeli soldiers, according to his colleagues and eyewitness accounts. Co-director Basel Adra spoke with CNN, recounting how he received a distress call from Ballal and rushed to his home in the West Bank village of Susya. Upon arrival, Adra witnessed Ballal and another individual being taken away, while outside, a group of Israeli settlers hurled stones. Both Israeli police and military forces were present, with soldiers firing at anyone approaching the scene, stated Adra. CNN has sought comments from the Israeli military and police regarding the incident.

Yuval Abraham, also a co-director and an Israeli national, reported that Ballal suffered injuries to his head and abdomen during the attack and has not been in contact since the incident. Though Abraham was not present during the attack, five American activists from the Center for Jewish Nonviolence (CJNV) who witnessed the event claimed they too faced assaults from Israeli settlers. The activists reported that upwards of a dozen settlers, equipped with batons, knives, and an assault rifle, targeted the village following a conflict involving an Israeli settler and a Palestinian home.

Jenna, an activist maintaining anonymity for fear of repercussions, described an attack on her group by around 20 masked settlers as they neared Susya that night. Although they did not witness Ballal’s arrest, she narrated how they tried to escape in their vehicle but were struck with sticks, and their car’s windows were shattered and tires slashed. Dashcam footage and photos shared by CJNV show a masked figure launching a rock at the windshield, with broken glass scattered inside the car. Josh Kimelman, from the same group, expressed frustration that Israeli soldiers observed the attack but did not intervene. “We informed them about the attack,” Kimelman informed CNN. “They reassured us all would be fine, yet took no action against the settlers.”

Earlier this month, Ballal, Adra, and Abraham stood together to receive the Oscar for Best Documentary. Their film, “No Other Land,” highlights the eviction of Palestinians from their homes in the West Bank. Ballal, a farmer, has previously faced threats and harassment by settlers. He shared with CNN last year experiences of settlers grazing cattle on his land while he slept, intending to claim his property. Ballal’s documentation of these confrontations, including violent threats from a settler asserting divine right to the land, underscores ongoing tensions. Despite contacting the police, Ballal noted no effective response.

“No Other Land” sheds light on the relentless demolition by Israeli authorities in Masafer Yatta, an area in the Hebron mountains of the West Bank where Adra’s family resides. The documentary captures efforts by the Israeli government to forcibly expel villagers, showing scenes such as the destruction of a local playground, the fatal shooting of Adra’s brother by Israeli soldiers, and other settler assaults as the community struggles to endure. The film delves into the bond between Adra and Abraham.

Violence from Israeli settlers continues to plague Palestinian communities in the West Bank, with herding outposts established by settlers expanding by nearly 50% since a major conflict erupted, as reported by Peace Now and Kerem Navot. Both organizations opposed to settlements and monitoring their progression indicate this increase covers data up to December 2024.